Motorized umbrella fan

ABSTRACT

A motorized umbrella fan whereby a motor drives the rotation of an umbrella assembly, which is comprised of an umbrella skeleton and a canopy, stretched over the skeleton. The canopy functions as a sunshade and plurality of fan blades each of triangular shape radially extending from a hub. A leading edge of each of the plurality of blades has a unshaped portion that is attached to a trailing edge of a preceding blade in a manner that creates vertical spacing between the leading edge and trailing edge of adjacent blades. This creates a slope within each fan blade and a channel between adjacent blades through which air flows. The air flow pushes stale hot air from underneath the canopy, providing a cooling breeze.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.61/035,259 titled “Motorized Umbrella Fan” filed on Mar. 10, 2008 havingattorney docket number 60315.0005USP1 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/978,574 titled “Motorized Umbrella Fan” filed on Oct. 9, 2007,having attorney docket number 60315.0002USP1, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to umbrellas and outdoor canopies incombination with fans. Particularly, the present invention relates tooutdoor umbrellas and outdoor canopies that also function as fans toprovide a cooling air flow to individuals sitting setting beneath theumbrella while also providing relief from the sun and rain. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an umbrella that has acanopy consisting of cloth blades that are rotated about a shaftproducing a cooling air flow. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an umbrella wherein the canopy portion is comprised oftriangular shaped segments that are driven by a motor that causes thesegments to rotate about a shaft to produce a cooling air flow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Umbrella devices in the form of umbrellas and parasols are known, whoseumbrella-like cap is provided with ribs, one end of which is linked to aring arranged at the upper end of a shaft and the other end at a sleeve,which can be displaced and fixed in place along the shaft for spreadingthe umbrella cap.

These ribs are required for supporting the cover material used as thecanopy. In case of umbrella devices of larger dimension, the ribsalready constitute a large proportion of the dead weight of the umbrelladevice. When modified to encompass weight-reducing designs these devicesare prone to buckling when strained by wind. The controlled folding upof the cover material and of the rod produces strain that has been shownto be technically difficult with umbrella devices of large surfaceareas, and poses the danger of damage to the thin cover material of lowflexural strength in the contact points between the cover and the ribs.There is a need for a design of an umbrella device that substantiallyreduces the strain caused by wind blowing under the umbrella.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an umbrellaapparatus in which the umbrella provides a breeze and shade to thosesitting at the table while simultaneously reducing the strain caused bywind blowing under the umbrella. It is another object of the presentinvention to provide an umbrella apparatus in which the umbrella canopyis configured such that it performs as a fan and opens and closes in themanner of a conventional table umbrella. It is still a further object ofthe present invention to provide an umbrella apparatus which employs arotatable canopy which is safe and effective. It is still another objectof the present invention to provide an umbrella apparatus in which thespeed of rotation of the umbrella can be controlled. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a table umbrella apparatuswhich is relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an umbrella device comprised of a support base,a motor operatively connected to a first end of a support shaft and anumbrella assembly attached to the second end of the support shaft. Themotor drives the rotation of the umbrella assembly, which is comprisedof an umbrella skeleton and a canopy, stretched over the skeleton. Thecanopy functions as a sunshade and as a fan when rotated by the supportshaft and motor. An advantage of the present invention is that itsstructure allows for the canopy to block the elements such as rain andsun while also producing air flow when rotating. The canopy is comprisedof a plurality of triangular shaped “blades.” In the open positions,each blade has a contacting and slightly overlapping relationship withadjacent blades to block sunlight or rainfall in the area below theblades. Each blade is attached to a hub at a first end and radiallyextends from the hub that is attached to the support shaft. A motor isoperatively connected to the support shaft to facilitate rotation of theplurality of blades. A leading edge of each of the plurality of bladeshas a u-shaped portion formed on a second end of each of the pluralityof blades. This u-shaped portion is attached to a trailing edge of apreceding blade in a manner that creates vertical spacing between theleading edge and trailing edge of adjacent blades, thereby creating anumbrella canopy comprised of a plurality of triangular shaped blades.Each of the plurality of blades includes a support rod comprised of arigid material that provides support to each of the plurality of bladesthat may be comprised of fabric. The support rod has a first endattached to the hub and extends radially out from the hub and along theleading edge of each blade, extending straight for the length of theblade and curving on the end to include a u-shaped portion. The u-shapedportion on the end of the support rod creates an elevation differencebetween each blade and facilitates the creation of the at least 18degree angle of each blade when the trailing edge of a blade isconnected to the end of leading edge of an adjacent blade by connectingthe end of the u-shaped portion to the corner of the trailing edge of anadjacent blade. The connection of the end of the u-shaped portion to thetrailing edge of an adjacent blade creates separation between thetrailing and leading edges of each blade and a channel which allowsairflow through the opening. The air flow produced acts to push stalehot air from underneath the canopy, providing a cooling breeze. Anotheradvantage of the present invention is that by way of reversing thedirection of the motor and thereby the canopy blades, the rotatingcanopy causes hot air to be drawn from underneath the canopy and out ofthe top through the opening between each blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a motorizedumbrella in an open position;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a motorized umbrella inan open position;

FIG. 3 depicts a view of the top of an embodiment of a motorizedumbrella in an open position;

FIG. 4 depicts a view of the underside of the canopy portion of amotorized umbrella in an open position;

FIG. 5 depicts a view of an embodiment of the umbrella portion of amotorized umbrella in the closed position;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a motorizedumbrella in an open position wherein the umbrella assembly isillustrated with the canopy removed;

FIG. 7 depicts a view of the motor of an embodiment of a motorizedumbrella;

FIG. 8 depicts a view of the motor having the top portion of the motorcasing removed, thereby exposing the interior components of the motor;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a motorized umbrella illustrating a viewof the motor, tripod motor base and support assembly engaging thetubular support member;

FIG. 10 depicts a cross sectional view of the motor, tripod motor baseand support assembly engaging the tubular support member of anembodiment of a motorized umbrella;

FIG. 11 depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of amotorized umbrella in an open position including blade sail members; and

FIG. 12 depicts a cross sectional view of portion of the tubular supportmember.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference may be made throughout this specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,” “embodiments,” “an aspect,” or “aspects” meaning that aparticular described feature, structure, or characteristic may beincluded in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,usage of such phrases may refer to more than just one embodiment oraspect. In addition, the described features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments or aspects. Furthermore, reference to a single item may meana single item or a plurality of items, just as reference to a pluralityof items may mean a single item. Moreover, use of the term “and” whenincorporated into a list is intended to imply that all the elements ofthe list, a single item of the list, or any combination of items in thelist has been contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises an umbrelladevice 102 comprised of a base 108, a tripod support assembly 120, amotor 110 operatively connected to a first end of a tubular supportmember 106 and an umbrella assembly 148 attached to the second end ofthe tubular support member 106. The tubular support member 106,extending between the umbrella assembly 148, motor 110 and tripodsupport assembly 120, is connected to the tripod support assembly 120 bya support collar 128, configured and attached to the tubular supportmember 106 in a manner that causes the weight of the umbrella assembly148 and the tubular support member 106 to be distributed along the legsof the tripod support assembly 120 to the base 108 and not to the motor110. The motor 110 drives the rotation of the umbrella assembly 148,which is comprised of an umbrella skeleton and a canopy 104 of theumbrella assembly 148 stretched over the skeleton. The canopy 104comprised of a plurality of blade fabric portions 142 and a fan bladecap 160 functions as a sunshade and as a fan when rotated by the tubularsupport member 106 and motor 110. An advantage of the present inventionis that its structure allows the canopy 104 to block elements such asrain and sun while also producing air flow when rotating. The umbrellaassembly 148 is connected to the tubular support member 106, such thatthe umbrella assembly 148 can be opened and closed without disassembly.The opening and closing of the umbrella assembly 148 is facilitated byturning a crank shaft 136 that is connected to a housing mounted to theexterior surface of the tubular support member 106. The motor 110 has adrive shaft that is connected to a base portion of the tubular supportmember 106. The base portion of the tubular support member 106 extendsup through the tripod support assembly 120 and the support collar 128into a shaft collar 164. A first end of the base portion of the tubularsupport member 106 has a female connection receptacle configured forreceiving a male connection portion positioned on a first end of the topportion of the tubular support member 106. The shaft collar 164 may beconfigured with a locking mechanism that facilitates locking the baseand top portions of tubular support member 106 together so that rotationof the first portion of base portion of the tubular support member 106results in rotation of the top portion of tubular support member 106.During operation, the umbrella assembly 148 and tubular support member106 rotate and cause airflow below the umbrella assembly 148, allowingusers of the present invention to be cooled. The motor 110 may bebi-directional and thereby configured to allow the umbrella device 102to generate an up-flow or down-flow of current.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of fan blades 140 of theumbrella assembly 148 has a contacting and slightly overlappingrelationship with adjacent blades in order to block sunlight or rainfallin the area below the umbrella assembly 148. In addition, the motor 110is positioned towards the bottom of the umbrella device 102 above thebase 108 and supported by the tripod support assembly 120 in order toposition the motor 110 at a height whereby it is above the base andsufficiently out of the reach of water. The motor 110 is also positionedat a height above the support base 108 to allow for ventilation andcooling of the motor 110, easy access for service of the motor 110, andto lessen the momentum between the umbrella assembly 148 and motor 110as a result of umbrella assembly rotation. Reducing momentum between theumbrella assembly 148 and the motor 110 reduces the potential forcavitations of the umbrella device 102. The motor 110 is operativelyconnected to the umbrella assembly 148 and configured to cause theumbrella assembly 148 to rotate along with the tubular support member106.

The tripod support assembly 120 is comprised of a first tripod leg 122,a second tripod leg 124 and a third tripod leg 126, wherein the firstsecond and third tripod legs are interchangeable and positioned on topof the base 108 when assembled. The first, second and third support legs122, 124, 126 of the tripod assembly 120 each include a motor supportarm 112, 114, 116 that positions the motor 110 at a distance above thebase 108. When the first second and third tripod legs 122, 124, 126 areassembled as a tripod, because the first tripod support leg 122 includesa partial first collar and a partial second collar, and because thesecond tripod support leg 124 includes a partial first collar and apartial second collar, and the third tripod support leg 126 includes apartial first collar and a partial second collar, a first tripod collar132 and a second tripod collar 138 are created upon connection of thefirst second and third tripod legs 122, 124, 126 to create the tripodsupport assembly 120. The first and second tripod collars 132, 138provide additional support to the tubular support member 106. At the topof the tripod support assembly 120 a support collar 128 is attached. Thesupport collar 128 which is also attached to the tubular support member106 is configured to include a bearing surface that allows the supportcollar 128 and the tubular support member 106 to freely rotate about theaxis of the tubular support member 106 when driven by the motor. Thesupport collar also includes a locking unit such as a lock knob. Thelocking unit is configured such that when it is engaged, the tubularsupport member 106 and thereby the umbrella assembly 148 will notrotate. While a lock knob has been specifically identified, it iscontemplated that the locking unit may be of any configuration thatfacilitates the locking of the tubular support member 106 in a mannerthat prevents its rotation and thereby the rotation of the umbrellaassembly 148. The tubular support member 106 is attached to the supportcollar 128 in a manner that allows the weight of the tubular supportmember 106 and umbrella assembly 148 to be distributed to the tripodsupport assembly 120 and the base 108. The support collar 128 iscomprised of a top portion, bottom portion and a bearing surfacesandwiched between the top and bottom collar portions. The bottomportion of the support collar 128 is stationarily attached to the top ofthe tripod support assembly 120. The bearing surface between the bottomportion and the top portion of the support collar 128 enables the topportion of the support collar 128 and the tubular support member 106 torotate. Because the support collar 128 is attached to the tubularsupport member 106, the connection facilitates the tubular supportmember 106 being suspended above the motor 110 at a distance thatfacilitates connection of a drive shaft of the motor 106 to the tubularsupport member 106 in order to facilitate its rotation of the tubularsupport member 106 and the umbrella assembly 148.

In the present embodiment, each umbrella fan blade 140 is comprised of afabric portion and extends radially out from a hub. Each umbrella fanblade 140 has a first end 146 attached to the hub which has the tubularsupport member 106 connected to its center. A leading edge 152 of eachof the plurality of fan blades has a u-shaped portion 168 formed on asecond end of each of the plurality of fan blades, wherein the u-shapedportion 168 on the leading edge 152 of each fan blade 140 is attached156 to a trailing edge 154 of a preceding blade in a manner that createsvertical spacing 150 between the leading edge 152 and the trailing edge154 of adjacent blades, thereby creating an umbrella canopy 104. In thepresent embodiment, the vertical spacing created is about 8 inches whichdecreases over the length of the fan blade 140 towards the hub.Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that the vertical spacing 150 may beof a myriad of sizes determined by the u-shaped portion 168, so long asthe objective of allowing air to pass into the niche created by thevertical spacing is achieved. It is also contemplated that the u-shapedportion on the leading edge 152 of each of the plurality of fan bladescan be of a myriad of different shapes, for example an L-shape, so longas the shape facilitates the creation of vertical spacing 150 betweenthe leading edge 152 and the trailing edge 154 of adjacent blades.

The trailing edge 154 of the fabric that comprises a fan blade 140 isconnected to the end of the u-shaped portion 168 to create an umbrellablade portion which may be created upon opening of the umbrella assembly148 in a manner similar to that of a standard patio umbrella. Theu-shaped portion 168 on the end of each umbrella fan blade stability rod144 creates a conical section in the fabric that trails off at the endof the blade portion that is connected to an adjacent blades u-shapeportion 168. The fabric that comprises the blade is cut in such a mannerthat the conical section created by the fan blade disappears to a singlepoint on the trailing edge 154 of the blade which is attached to theu-shaped portion 168 of an adjacent blade. When the umbrella is openedusing a standard crank shaft 136, the fabric comprising the bladestretches out in a manner similar to a sail.

Attachment 156 of the leading edge 152 of each fan blade 140 to atrailing edge 154 of a preceding blade may be performed in a pluralityof manners, sewing, riveting, bolting, clamping, screw plug or any otherconnection method or device that allows for a stable connection. It iscontemplated that the connecting device may facilitate both temporaryand permanent connection. When opened or closed, the structure of theumbrella assembly 148 removes problems associated with having multiplesecondary stiffeners in use to create a stiffened fan blade. A temporaryconnection enables for assembly and disassembly of the umbrella assembly148.

Each of the plurality of blades 140 includes a fan blade stability rod144 comprised of a rigid material. The fan blade stability rod 144 has afirst end 146 attached to a stability rod hub and extends radially outfrom the stability rod hub and is attached to the fan blade 140 alongthe leading edge 152 of the blade. The fan blade stability rod 144further includes a u-shaped portion 168 on a second end of the supportrod 144. It is also contemplated that the u-shaped portion on the secondend of the support rod 144 can be of a myriad of different shapes, forexample an L-shape, so long as the shape facilitates the creation ofvertical spacing 150 between the leading edge 152 and the trailing edge154 of adjacent blades. It is also contemplated that a spacer, in theshape of a U, L or any other shape that facilitates the creation ofvertical spacing 150 between the leading edge 152 and the trailing edge154 of adjacent blades may be added to the end of a fan blade stabilityrod 144 that is not configured to include a u-shaped portion. It is tobe understood that the shape of the portion of the stability rod 144 onits second end, whether such shape be permanent or an add on spacer maybe of any configuration so long as the second end of the stability rodor the add on spacer creates vertical spacing 150 between the leadingedge 152 and the trailing edge 154 of adjacent blades.

Each fan blade stability rod 144 is supported by a blade support shaft170. The first end of the blade support shaft 170 is hingedly connectedto the fan blade stability rod 144 by connection member 178. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the second end of the blade support shaft 170 ishingedly connected to a blade support shaft hub 174. In the embodimentillustrated, each of the blade support shafts 170 are configured out ofsquare tubing or rods used to support the fan blade stability rods 144when the umbrella assembly 148 is in the open position, illustrated inFIGS. 1-4. The blade support shaft hub 174 facilitates movement of thefan blades 140 between an open and closed position similar to that of astandard outdoor umbrella. The blade support shaft hub 174 is configuredto slidably move up and down the exterior of tubular support member 106to allow the fan blades 140 to articulate from 0° (closed position),shown in FIG. 5, to approximately 90° (open position), as shown in FIGS.1-3, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the blades 140 of the umbrellaassembly 148 are comprised of fabric and are generally of a triangularshape. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection 156 of the end of the u-shapedportion 168 of the stability rod 144 to the trailing edge 154 of anadjacent blade 140 creates a canted surface 182 which is capable ofcreating wind flow when the umbrella assembly 148 is rotated. The designof the umbrella assembly 148 is such that as the umbrella assembly 148is opened in a traditional fashion similar to that of a standard patioumbrella. When the umbrella assembly 148 is opened, the stability rods144 on the leading edge 152 of each blade 140 causes the fabric 142 tostretch into the shape of an oversized canopied fan blade 140. With thesimple motion of opening the umbrella the blades of the umbrellaassembly 148 are created.

FIG. 4 illustrates the underside of the umbrella assembly 148. As shown,the blade support shaft hub 174 is configured to slidably engage androtate with the tubular support member 106. Support shaft hub 174 alsorotates along with and at the same speed as the blade support shafts170, fan blades 140, fan blade stability rods 144 and blade stabilityrod hub 166. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular support member106 may not rotate and the blade support shaft hub 174 may furtherinclude a bearing (e.g., journal bearing, etc.) or other assemblydesigned to facilitate its rotation about the axis of the tubularsupport member 106. For example, if the tubular support member 106 is aone inch diameter tube, the blade support shaft hub 174 may be a one andone-sixteenth inch diameter ring such that the blade support shaft hub174 will be free floating, yet still fit snuggly around the tubularsupport member 106 and allow the fan blade stability rods 144 and theblade support shafts 170 to rotate along with fan blades 140. The fanblade stability rods 144 are connected at one end to a blade stabilityrod hub 166 that is attached to the top of the tubular support member106. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular support member 106 maynot rotate and the blade stability rod hub 166 may be connected to arotation system that includes a rod that extends through the tubularsupport member and is operatively connected to the stability rod hub 166and the motor to facilitate rotation of the umbrella assembly 148.

In addition, the blade support shaft hub 174 is operatively connected toa crank shaft 136 that allows the umbrella assembly 148 to be opened andclosed. For example, the crank shaft 136 may be turned so that the bladesupport shafts 170 move the fan blades 140 vertically during opening andclosing of the umbrella assembly 148. The blade support shaft hub 174may be freely moved vertically up and down the tubular support member106 and locked into an open position by a spring loaded snap pinassembly. It is contemplated that the blade support shaft hub 174 may belocked into position through use of any assembly or locking mechanismconfigured to hold the support shaft hub 174 in a position thatfacilitates the umbrella assembly being open. It is also contemplatedthat in alternative embodiments, mechanisms other than a crank shaft maybe used to open and close the umbrella assembly 148. The mechanisms usedin alternative embodiments may include but are not limited to a ropepull assembly, spring load assembly, and manual pushing of the bladesupport shaft hub 174 up and down the tubular support member 106.

During operation, the umbrella blades 140 may rotate at various speeds.The motor 110 may be configured such that a user may be able to selectbetween various preset speeds. In addition, the motor 110 may beconfigured such that the user may control the speed of the motor 110more precisely. For example, a potentiometer or rheostat may be used toprecisely control the motor 110 speed. Furthermore, the motor 110 may beconfigured such that the direction of rotation may be reversed to changethe direction of airflow resulting form the rotating blades 140.

The maximum rotation speed of the umbrella blades 140 is limited by thestability of the motorized umbrella fan 102 which is enhanced by thetripod support assembly 120. As the rotational speeds increase, theeffects of an umbrella fan being out of balance become more pronounced.In the present embodiment, as the rotation speed increases and if theumbrella assembly 148 is out of balance, the motorized umbrella fan 102will begin to sway. Therefore, the rotation speed cannot be too fast soas to cause the motorized umbrella fan 102 to topple over. To increasethe maximum rotation speeds, the motorized umbrella fan 102 may haveadditional strategically placed weights to balance and stabilize theumbrella assembly 148.

FIG. 5 shows the umbrella assembly 148 in the closed position. FIG. 6illustrates the motorized umbrella fan with the fabric blade portionsremoved, illustrating the skeleton of the umbrella assembly 148 assupported by a tubular support member 106, a tripod support assembly 120and base 108. At the top of the tripod support assembly 120 a supportcollar 128 is attached. The support collar 128, which is also attachedto the tubular support member 106, is configured to include a bearingsurface that allows the support collar 128 and the tubular supportmember 106 to freely rotate about the axis of the tubular support member106 when driven by the motor. The tubular support member 106 is attachedto the support collar 128 in a manner that allows the weight of thetubular support member 106 and umbrella assembly to be distributed tothe tripod support system 120 and the support base 108. The skeleton ofthe umbrella assembly is comprised of a plurality of fan blade stabilityrods 144 connected at one end to a blade stability rod hub 166 that isattached to the tubular support member 106 near its top. The fan bladestability rods 144 may be cylindrical or rectangular in cross-sectionand constructed of fiber glass, carbon fiber, metals, and polymers. Eachfan blade stability rod 144 further includes a u-shaped portion 186 onits second end. Each fan blade stability rod 144 is supported by a bladesupport shaft 170. The blade support shaft 170 may be cylindrical orrectangular in cross-section and constructed of fiber glass, carbonfiber, metals, and polymers. The first end of the blade support shaft170 is hingedly connected to the fan blade stability rod 144 byconnection member 178. The second end of the blade support shaft 170 ishingedly connected to a blade support shaft hub 174 which facilitatesvertical movement of the fan blade stability rods 144 and therebymovement of the fan blades between open and closed positions. The bladesupport shaft hub 174 is configured to slidably move up and down theexterior of tubular support member 106

FIG. 7 illustrates the motor assembly including the motor casing 216,comprised of a motor casing bottom portion 220, a motor casing topportion 224, and the motor crank shaft 232 extending through an opening228 in the top portion of the motor casing 216. FIG. 8 illustrates themotor casing 216 having its top portion 220 removed, thereby exposingthe motor 234 and crank shaft 232. FIG. 9 illustrates the lower portionof the motorized umbrella fan comprised of the tripod assembly 204, base202, motor assembly 216, wherein the motor engages a base shaft 236portion of the tubular support member by way of a motor crank shaftextending out of the motor casing 216. The motor crank shaft isoperatively connected to the base shaft 236 portion of the tubularsupport member. As illustrated, the motor assembly 216 is supported by atripod assembly 204 that rests on the support base 202, elevating themotor assembly 216 above the base 202. Tripod support assembly 204 iscomprised of a first tripod leg 206, a second tripod leg 208 and a thirdtripod leg, wherein the first second and third tripod legs areinterchangeable and positioned on top of the base 202 when assembled.The first, second and third support legs of the tripod assembly 204 eachinclude a motor support arm that positions the motor casing 216 abovethe base 202. When the first 206, second 208 and third tripod legs areassembled, because each tripod leg includes a partial first collar and apartial second collar, a first tripod collar 212 and a second tripodcollar 214 is created upon assembly of the tripod. The first and secondtripod collars 212, 214, provide additional support to the base shaftportion 236 of the tubular support member. Still consistent withembodiments of the invention, the base 202, which is typically hollow,may comprise a plastic container and have a centrally disposed bore forreceipt of a removable cap that allows the user to fill the base 202with ballast, such as sand and/or water, concrete, or other weightingmaterial. Using weighting materials that can be removed, such as water,will facilitate transportation of the motorized umbrella. For example,the base 202 may be filled with water when the motorized umbrella isfirst purchased and installed. Should the user desire to relocate themotorized umbrella fan, the user may drain the water to make themotorized umbrella fan lighter and easier to move.

The lower portion of the umbrella device is also illustrated in FIG. 10,showing the tripod support assembly 318, base 302, motor 328, withinmotor casing 324, wherein the motor 328 engages a base shaft 336 portionof the tubular support member by way of a motor crank shaft 332extending out of the motor casing 324 and being operatively connected tothe base shaft 336 portion of the tubular support member. Asillustrated, the motor 328, within motor casing 324, is supported by atripod support assembly 318 that rests on the support base 302,elevating the motor casing 324 above the support base 302. The tripodsupport assembly 318 is comprised of a first tripod leg 304, a secondtripod leg 308 and a third tripod leg (not shown), wherein the first,second and third tripod legs are interchangeable and attached to the topof the base 302 when assembled. The first, second and third support legsof the tripod assembly 318 each include a motor support arm thatpositions the motor casing 324 above the base 302. First tripod leg 304includes a first tripod motor support arm 306. Second tripod leg 308includes a second tripod motor support arm 310. The third tripod leg(not shown) includes a third tripod motor support arm (not shown). Whenthe first 304, second 308 and third tripod legs are assembled, becauseeach tripod leg includes a partial first collar and a partial secondcollar, first tripod collar 312 and a second tripod collar 314 arecreated. The first and second tripod collars 312, 314, provideadditional support to the base shaft 336 portion of the tubular supportmember. The base shaft portion 336 of the tubular support member isattached to a support collar 344 in a manner that allows the weight ofthe tubular support member and umbrella assembly to be distributed tothe tripod support assembly 318 and the support base 302. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the base shaft portion 336 of thetubular support member is attached to a support collar 344 bypositioning a link pin 352 through a passage formed in the supportcollar 344 and the base shaft portion 336 of the tubular support member.It is contemplated that numerous other methods and devices may be usedto connect the support collar 344 and the base shaft portion 336 of thetubular support member together. The methods and devices used must be ofa type configured to connect the support collar 344 and the base shaftportion 336 of the tubular support member together in a manner wherebythe base shaft portion 336 of the tubular support member extends throughthe support collar 344, extends through first and second tripod collars312, 314 and is positioned above the motor crank shaft 332 extending outof the motor casing 324. The connection of the base shaft portion 336 tothe support collar 344 causes the base shaft portion to be suspendedabove the motor 328 at a position that allows for the connection of themotor crank shaft 332 to the base shaft portion 336.

Resting at the top of the tripod support assembly 318, the supportcollar 344 is comprised of a top portion 338, bottom portion 340 and abearing surface 346 sandwiched between the top 338 and bottom 340 collarportions. The bottom portion of the support collar 340 is stationarilyattached to the top of the tripod assembly 318. The bearing surface 346between the bottom portion 340 and the top portion 338 of the supportcollar 344 enables the top portion 338 of the support collar 344 and thebase shaft 336 portion of the tubular support member to rotate freelyabout the axis of the tubular support member. Because the support collar344 is attached to the base shaft 336 portion of the tubular supportmember, the connection facilitates an end of the base shaft 336 portionbeing suspended above the motor 328 at a distance that allows forconnection of the motor drive shaft 332 to the base shaft 336 portion inmanner whereby the weight of the tubular support member and umbrellaassembly are not distributed to the motor. Connection of the base shaft336 portion of the tubular support member and the motor drive shaft 332is facilitated by a connection cap 320 and a connection pin 316 thatextends through orifices within the connection cap 320 and motor driveshaft 332. It is contemplated that numerous other methods and devicesmay be used to connect the base shaft 336 portion of the tubular supportmember and the motor drive shaft 332. The methods and devices used maybe of a type configured to connect the base shaft 336 portion of thetubular support member and the motor drive shaft 332 together in amanner whereby the motor drive shaft 332 drives the rotation of the baseshaft 336 portion of the tubular support member.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the presentinvention whereby the umbrella assembly 448 includes a plurality ofsecondary pieces of fabric 456 which extend down and will create a downdraft when the umbrella assembly 448 is rotated. The banner of fabric456 which extends down from the underside of the umbrella assembly 448along the trailing edge 454 of a blade may be weighted to facilitategreater downward breeze by rotation of the umbrella assembly 448. Forexample, in the embodiment illustrated, the sail includes a weightedportion along the edge 458 of the fabric.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the tubularsupport member 510. The tubular support member 510 is comprised of abase shaft portion 512 and a top shaft portion 514. The top shaftportion 514, has an end portion 516 configured of a diameter slightlyless than the diameter of the base shaft portion 512 to facilitateinsertion of the top shaft portion 514 into the base shaft portion 512.The top shaft portion further includes spring loaded locking pins 520and 522 which are sized so as to extend through a first orifice 526 anda second orifice 528 within the base shaft portion 512. When the firstend portion 516 is extended through an opening in an end of the baseshaft portion 512, the spring loaded locking pins 520 and 522 arepressed so as to allow the top shaft portion 514 to be extended downinto the base shaft portion 512, wherein the spring loaded locking pins520 and 522 through openings 526 and 528 when the spring loaded lockingpins 520 and 522 are lined up with openings 526 and 528. Upon theextension of the spring loaded locking pins 520 and 522 through openings526 and 528, the base shaft portion 512 and the top shaft portion 514are attached, so that upon rotation of base shaft portion 512, the topshaft portion 514 also rotates. It is contemplated that connecting andlocking the base shaft portion 512 and the top shaft portion 514 may beaccomplished by other devices other than the spring loaded locking pins.The illustration of the spring loaded locking pins are not identified soas to limit the scope of devices which may be used to connect the baseshaft portion 512 and the top shaft portion 514. Spring loaded pins 520and 522 are identified as an example of the devices contemplated thatmay achieve locking the base shaft portion 512 and the top shaft portion514 into position.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the inventionis defined by the application claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the application claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the applicationclaims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal languages of the applicationclaims.

One skilled in the relevant art may recognize, however, that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other methods, resources, materials, etc. In other instances,well known structures, resources, or operations have not been shown ordescribed in detail merely to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While example embodiments and applications of the present invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise configuration and resourcesdescribed above. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparentto those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation,and details of the methods and systems of the present inventiondisclosed herein without departing from the scope of the applicationclaims.

1. An outdoor umbrella comprising: a support shaft; a support basesupporting the support shaft; an umbrella assembly comprised of at leasta plurality of blades radially extending from a hub attached to thesupport shaft wherein a first end of each blade is attached to the hub;a motor operatively connected to the support shaft to facilitaterotation of the plurality of blades; wherein the second end of each ofthe plurality of blades has a u-shaped portion formed on a leading edgeof each of the plurality of blades, wherein the u-shaped portion on theleading edge of each blade is attached to a trailing edge of a precedingblade in a manner that creates vertical spacing between the leading edgeand the trailing edge of adjacent blades.
 2. The outdoor umbrella ofclaim 1 wherein the leading edge and trailing edges of adjacent bladesoverlap.
 3. The outdoor umbrella of claim 1 wherein the vertical spacingbetween the leading edge and trailing edge of adjacent blades isgreatest at the second end of each blade and decreases in the directionof the first end of each blade.
 4. The outdoor umbrella of claim 1wherein each of the plurality of blades are comprised of fabric and astability rod, wherein the stability rod, having a first end attached tothe hub, extends radially out from the hub, wherein the stability rod isattached to the fabric along a first edge of the fabric creating theleading edge of the blade, wherein the stability rod further includes au-shaped portion on a second end of the stability rod, wherein the firstedge of the fabric is further attached along the u-shaped portion. 5.The outdoor umbrella of claim 4 wherein the trailing edge of andadjacent blade is attached to the u-shaped portion of the end of thestability rod.
 6. The outdoor umbrella of claim 5 wherein the trailingedge of the blade further includes a sail portion extending verticallydownward, wherein the sale portion directs the air flowing through thevertical spacing between the leading edge of each blade and the trailingedge of each blade downward.
 7. The outdoor umbrella of claim 4 whereinthe umbrella assembly further comprises a support shaft having a firstend hingedly connected to stability rod and a second end hingedlyconnected to a support shaft hub slidably connected to the supportshaft, wherein the movement of the support shaft up the support shaftcauses the umbrella assembly to open and movement of the support shaftdown the support shaft causes the umbrella assembly to close.
 8. Theoutdoor umbrella of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of blades aresloped at an angle of at least 18 degrees.
 9. The outdoor umbrella ofclaim 1 wherein the support base is comprised of at least a tripod standcomprised of a first support leg, a second support leg and a thirdsupport leg.
 10. The outdoor umbrella of claim 9 wherein the firstsupport leg includes a partial first collar and a partial second,wherein the second support leg includes a partial first collar and apartial second collar, wherein the third support leg includes a partialfirst collar and a partial second collar, wherein the joining of thefirst, second and third legs at the edges of the partial first andsecond collar portions creates a first collar and a second collarpositioned around a tubular support member.
 11. The outdoor umbrella ofclaim 9 wherein the first, second and third support legs of the tripodstand each include a motor support arm that positions the motor abovethe bottom of the base.
 12. The outdoor umbrella of claim 1 furtherincluding a support collar attached to the tubular support member,wherein the support collar has a bearing surface that allows the supportcollar and the tubular support member to freely rotate about the axis ofthe tubular support member, wherein the support collar rests on the topof the support base, wherein the tubular support member is attached tothe collar in a manner that allows the weight of the support shaft andumbrella assembly to be distributed to the support base.
 13. The outdoorumbrella of claim 12 wherein the support collar is comprised of a topportion, bottom portion and a bearing surface between the top and bottomportions, wherein the bottom portion of the support collar isstationarily rests on support base, allowing the top portion of thesupport collar and the tubular support member to rotate.
 14. A motorizedoutdoor umbrella comprising: an umbrella canopy assembly; a supportshaft positioned to support the umbrella canopy; a tripod base assembly;and a motor supported by the tripod base assembly in a manner wherebythe motor is suspended above the base of the tripod base assembly;wherein the tripod base assembly is configured to receive and supportthe support shaft; wherein the tripod base assembly is comprised of atripod support assembly positioned on top of a base, wherein the tripodassembly comprises a first support leg, a second support leg and a thirdsupport leg, wherein the first support leg includes a first portion of atop collar, a first portion of a bottom collar, and a first motorsupport arm, wherein the second support leg includes a second portion ofa top collar, a second portion of a bottom collar, and a second motorsupport arm, wherein the third support leg includes a third portion of atop collar, a third portion of a bottom collar and third motor supportarm, wherein the first, second and third legs of the tripod assembly arepositioned to create the top collar and bottom collar through which thesupport shaft is extended in order to engage the motor, the tripod baseassembly including a support collar attached to the top of the tripodassembly, wherein the support shaft is attached to the support collar ina manner that allows the weight of the support shaft and umbrella canopyassembly to be distributed to the tripod assembly, wherein the supportcollar has a bearing surface that allows the support collar and thesupport shaft to freely rotate about the axis of the support shaft. 15.The motorized outdoor umbrella of claim 13, wherein the umbrella canopyassembly is comprised of a plurality of blades radially extending from ahub wherein a first end of each blade is attached to the hub which hasthe support shaft connected to its center, wherein a leading edge ofeach of the plurality of blades has a u-shaped portion formed on asecond end of each of the plurality of blades, wherein the u-shapedportion on the leading edge of each blade is attached to a trailing edgeof a preceding blade in a manner that creates vertical spacing betweenthe leading edge and trailing edge of adjacent blades, thereby creatingan umbrella canopy, wherein each of the plurality of blades includes asupport rod comprised of a rigid material, wherein the support rod has afirst end attached to the hub and extends radially out from the hub,wherein the support rod is attached to the blade along the leading edgeof the blade, wherein the support rod further includes a u-shapedportion on a second end of the support rod.
 16. An outdoor umbrellacomprising: a support shaft; a support assembly supporting the supportshaft; an umbrella assembly comprised of a plurality of triangularshaped fabric portions each having a stability rod attached along afirst edge of the fabric creating a leading edge of a blade, wherein afirst end of the stability rod is attached to a hub, the stability rodbeing configured to have a u-shaped portion on its second end, whereinthe first edge of the fabric is further attached along the u-shapedportion of the stability rod, wherein a second edge of the fabric thatopposes the first edge of the fabric is attached to the u-shaped portionof the stability rod of an adjacent blade, thereby creating a trailingedge of the blade; a motor operatively connected to the support shaft tofacilitate rotation of the plurality of blades.
 17. The outdoor umbrellaof claim 16 wherein the support assembly is comprised of a tripod standand a base positioned thereon, wherein the tripod stand is comprised ofa first support leg, a second support leg and a third support leg,wherein each of the first, second and third support legs each include amotor support arm that positions the motor above the base and under thetripod stand.